Pete Seeger used to talk about "Zipper Songs"; songs where by changing one word or one line, you can add a new verse. I think Pete credited Lee Hayes with coining the term. One example is:

As I went down in the valley to pray
Studyin' about that good old way
And who shall wear the stary crown
Good Lord, show me the way
Oh _______ let's go down
Let's go down come on down
Oh _______ let's go down
Down in the valley to pray

By using the words "Father", "Mother", "Sister", "Brother", "Sinners"... you can make a new verse.

Another example is:

Hot tamales and they're red hot
Yes she's got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they're red hot
Yes she's got 'em for sale
_____________________________
_____________________________
Hot tamales and they're red hot
Yes she's got 'em for sale.

Here a two line phrase is inserted in each verse.

"I've got a gal that's seven feet tall
She sleeps in the kitchen with her feet in the hall."

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Show me a gal that a man can trust."

I've even heard,
"I've got a gal that's four feet tall
She sleeps in the kitchen with her feet in the kitchen."


What are some other "Zipper Songs"?